American to charge for FIRST checked bag.

[Kevy Baby]

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

I think you missed my point, Kevy. If Southwest charges for drinks and brings their fare down to $69, and American charges for drinks and brings their fare down to $69 and every airline does the same ... where's the "published ticket price" advantage in charging for drinks?

I used Southwest specifically because they are currently advertising that they DON'T (and for the foreseeable future, presumably won't) have the additional up charges.

As I predicted earlier in this thread, I think this will become an advertising game as a way for airlines to differentiate: some will advertise the lowest possible fairs and others will advertise that they don't nickel and dime you to death. US Air (et. al.) are predicting that the ticket-buying masses are stupid and will just go for the lowest fair. Southwest (and I am sure that if not already that there will be others) will give buyers credit for reasonable intelligence and can figure out that they really are the same cost (effectively) to fly with them. They also win with clients (like Moonliner) who just want an all-inclusive price.

Considering SW's considerable success (they are one of very few airlines that has consistently made a profit - most recently because the invested wisely in jet fuel futures), I prognosticate that the SW model will prove to be more successful